"If the Government truly believes the program is working they will support an independent audit," she said.

"For months we've been hearing horror stories about the consequences of [Human Services] Minister [Alan] Tudge's bungled program, I want to get the facts straight and the system to be suspended until it can be fixed."

Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the debt recovery system had been designed by a "dunderhead" and was driving some Australians to the brink of suicide.

Centrelink has since referred concerned welfare recipients complaining about the letters to crisis support hotlines on social media.